Bachelor of Psychological Science

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2023 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Psychological Science
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2023. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	Burwood (Melbourne) Waurn Ponds (Geelong) Warrnambool
Online	Yes
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	079316E Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Deakin course code	H344
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Curious about what makes people think, feel and behave the way they do? Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science covers many aspects of human behaviour and personality, and prepares you for a range of careers in the fast-growing health sector.^ The course also sets you up to pursue further study towards provisional registration as a psychologist. Core employability-orientated units and the option of undertaking 140 hours of real-world experience with an industry placement will strengthen your employment prospects and help you graduate work-ready.

This course is offered at Burwood, Geelong, Warrnambool and online, so you can study where and when it suits you and our flexible trimester system means you can fast-track the course over two years of full-time study. Deakin is also the only university in Victoria where you can study specialist psychology majors during your undergraduate degree, so you can pursue your interests early on with a major in Child and Family, Organisational Studies or Forensic Studies.

Do you want to learn from psychology professionals and be exposed to real-world workplace experience?

Deakin’s School of Psychology is one of the largest in Victoria. It has strong partnerships with industry, including collaborative activities with government agencies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities.

These partnerships ensure your degree remains relevant to industry and workforce needs. You will be in high demand by employers who want graduates that are ready to face real-world problems with confidence.

This course recognises the importance of, and relationships between, a range of human factors you will encounter in your future career. You will explore diverse areas of psychology, including:

behavioural and clinical neuroscience
child and adolescent psychology
human social behaviour
cognitive psychology
psychopathology
personality and individual differences
forensic psychology

You will also have the opportunity to develop your counselling and coaching skills through Applied Counselling Skills core units, and/or through one of our online postgraduate counselling courses.

Graduate Certificate of Counselling

Graduate Diploma of Counselling

The Bachelor of Psychological Science is recognised for registration purposes by the Psychology Board of Australia and enables you to undertake additional study in pursuit of professional registration as a psychologist. The course is also accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

If you want to become a psychologist, this course is a pathway to a fourth year of study (honours or graduate diploma level). After completing a fourth year of study, you will be eligible to apply to register as a provisional psychologist. Students wishing to become fully registered psychologists can then apply to continue their studies by undertaking one of the following:

A psychology qualification can prepare you for many diverse, exciting career paths. While some psychology graduates go on to become registered psychologists, many others will pursue roles in complementary professions or entirely different fields. The course’s Psychology in Practice units will ensure you graduate with work-ready skills and provide you with alternative employment pathways. Careers in psychology-related fields are always evolving, visit deakin.edu.au/psychology-careers to discover the exciting range of careers that you could pursue.

^2021 Employment Outlook - for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission.

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

All of the psychology courses offered at Deakin meet the requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) translating into excellent job and career opportunities for our graduates. Upon graduation of this degree, you’ll have gained a three-year undergraduate psychology sequence that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and recognised for registration purposes by the PBA, enabling you to undertake additional study in pursuit of provisional registration.

Graduates seeking to become registered psychologists with the Psychology Board of Australia must next apply for a fourth year of study in psychology, such as Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) to gain provisional registration, then go on to postgraduate study in psychology if you would like to pursue general registration as a psychologist.

Career opportunities

Following the completion of your bachelor’s degree, taking the next step towards becoming a psychologist involves applying for an honours year (e.g. Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology). Once completed, you’ll be able to register as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

If your passion isn’t to complete further study to become a registered psychologist, there are still many diverse career options available, including:

child protection
counselling
family support
human services
marketing
not for profit aid
public health
social work.

Additional qualifications may be required for some of the careers listed here, you can find out more about roles and responsibilities, skills, qualifications and experience at deakin.edu.au/psychology/psychology-careers

If you choose to pursue full registration as a psychologist, you may find employment in a variety of roles, including:

clinical psychologist
cognitive neuroscientist
counsellor
criminal psychologist
educational and developmental psychologist
family therapist
forensic psychologist
health and community psychologist
organisational psychologist
rehabilitation counsellor
sport and exercise psychologist
youth psychologist.

These positions can be found in:

private clinics and practices
public and private hospitals
corporate organisations
schools and universities
government departments and agencies
sporting clubs and institutes
social research organisations.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a Police Record Check, Working With Children Check or other check. Refer to the relevant unit guide.

Pathways

This course can be a pathway to:

H452 - Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)

H650 - Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)

Registration as a Psychologist

The current requirements for registration as a provisional psychologist include the completion of four years of academic study of psychology that is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. The academic program usually consists of an approved undergraduate psychology sequence – such as Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science – followed by an approved fourth year of study (such as Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology or honours in psychology).

Following successful completion of an approved fourth-year of psychology study, you may apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.

In order to gain full registration, provisional psychologists must then complete either two years of supervised practice, or a minimum two years of further study, which may include: Master of Psychology, Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (with supervised practice completed outside the degree).

Note: This course is currently accredited as at the date of publishing.

Psychology major sequence in other degrees

In addition to the Bachelor of Psychological Science, psychology may be studied as a three-year major sequence in the following degrees: Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Bachelor of Marketing (Psychology) or Bachelor of Human Resource Management (Psychology). These sequences are designed as terminal studies in psychology to complement other studies within an award.

The 10 credit point undergraduate psychology sequence prepares students for postgraduate training towards becoming a practicing registered psychologist. To practice as a psychologist students must complete an undergraduate degree with a major sequence in psychology followed by a fourth year of study in psychology (an Honours in Psychology or a Graduate Diploma of Psychology) that are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality. Demonstrate appropriate communication, counselling, and research methods skills.
Communication	Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well-developed communication skills. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
Digital literacy	Utilise online technologies to interact with others, access research and evaluate empirical evidence; and create and disseminate psychology-relevant content.
Critical thinking	Identify and critique the factors that contribute to the development of unhealthy mental processes and behaviours, develop arguments, reports, or commentaries based on empirical research and apply the results to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself or others, and; apply the skills required to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself and in others in diverse contexts.
Problem solving	Apply knowledge of the scientific method when addressing problems related to behaviour and mental processes; design, plan, and conduct research that addresses these problems; and apply analytic and statistical skills to interpret the results and validity of research.
Self-management	Engage in independent learning as a reflective practitioner to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology; and manage resources, timelines and other constraints to achieve quality and timely outcomes.
Teamwork	Collaborate and communicate psychological principles and practices effectively in interdisciplinary teams to work and learn in a range of environments including communities of practice, research and professional practice.
Global citizenship	Embody the values and attitudes of the scientist-practitioner; apply ethical and professional responsibilities to local and global communities, apply knowledge and skills in culturally appropriate and inclusive ways.

Course rules

To complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Psychological Science, students must attain 24 credit points including:

4 credit points of Foundations of Psychology
8 credit points of Psychology Essentials
4 credit points of Psychology in Practice
2 credit points of Psychology course electives

Plus, either:

6 credit points of electives (psychology course electives or University open electives) OR
6 credit point psychology major

Students must also ensure that they have met the following course rules to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Psychological Science:

a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
HAI010 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Following completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Science students intending to become psychologists must successfully apply for and complete a level-4 Honours year or the level-4 Graduate Diploma of Psychology.

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Major sequences

The following majors are available within the Bachelor of Psychological Science

Warrnambool students wishing to undertake these majors must enrol in the online offerings of the units.

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

Course structure

Core units

Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2023 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2023 can refer to previous online Handbooks.

Course Structure

^ Foundations of Psychology unit

*Psychology in Practice unit

# Psychology Essentials unit

Level 1 - Trimester 1

HAI010

Academic Integrity (0 credit points)

HPS104

Foundations of Psychological Science ^

HPS105

Foundations of Psychological Practice ^

HPS111

Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour ^

plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit

Level 1 - Trimester 2

HPS121

Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development ^

HBS110

Health Psychology (Behaviour Change) *

HPY107

Psychology At Work (Preparation) *

plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HPS203

Cognitive Psychology #

HPS204

Social Psychology #

HPY210

Applied Counselling Skills (Introductory) *

plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HPS201

Psychology Research Methods (Introductory) #

HPS202

Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent) #

plus two psychology course electives, electives or psychology major units

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HPS301

Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate) #

HPS310

Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour) #

plus two psychology course electives, electives or psychology major units

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HPY306

Applied Counselling Skills (Intermediate) *

HPS307

Personality Psychology #

HPS308

Psychopathology #

plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit

Note: for Psychology 4^th year admission (Honours or equivalent), students are assessed on the WAM of Psychology Essentials

Course electives

Psychology Course Electives

Two credit points from:

Trimester 1

HPS209

Cross Cultural and Indigenous Psychology

HPS302

Developmental Psychology (Adult)

HPS325

Health Psychology (Addiction)

HPS328

Psychology At Work (Internship)

Trimester 2

HPS206

Forensic Psychology

HPS226

Health Psychology (Chronic Illness)

HPS304

Social Psychology (Human Relationships)

HPS395

Biological Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience)

Work experience

As part of this course you will have the option of undertaking 140 hours of industry placement through elective units, and our core employability-orientated units ensure you graduate work-ready. Applied Counselling Skills core units also allow you to develop your counselling and coaching skills.

Details of major sequences

Forensic Studies

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Waurn Ponds (Geelong) students: some of the units are offered at Waurn Ponds and some at Waterfront. Travel between campuses may be required.

Unit set code

MJ-H000040

Overview

This major brings together complementary units from criminology and forensic psychology for students to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of crime and criminal justice issues, addiction, and how psychological knowledge is applied in legal and criminal matters.

Units

ACR101

Introducing Crime and Criminology

ACR102

Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice

ACR201

Issues in Criminal Justice

HPS206

Forensic Psychology

ACR302

Criminology Research

HPS325

Health Psychology (Addiction)

Child and Family

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Waurn Ponds (Geelong) students: some of the units are offered at Waurn Ponds and some at Waterfront. Travel between campuses may be required.

Unit set code

MJ-H000041

Overview

This major brings together complementary units from within Health and Social Development and Psychology with a particular focus on the health and development of the family system and its members. It will be of particular interest to those wanting to work supporting children and/or families in the community.

Units

HSH105

Understanding Families and Health

HSH206

Human Development and Healthy Families

HSH207

Socio-Economic Status and Health

HPS202

Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)

HPS302

Developmental Psychology (Adult)

HPS304

Social Psychology (Human Relationships)

Organisational Studies

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Online

Unit set code

MJ-H000042

Overview

This major brings together fundamental units from the disciplines of Management and Human Resource Management, to give students a grounding in organisational behaviour, recruitment and training, and change management. Students will also gain skills in counselling, mediation and negotiation.